Buckle Release Mechanism

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a buckle release mechanism. The release mechanism can be used to couple together various types of straps, webbing or belts. In one particular embodiment, the release mechanism forms part of a parachute canopy for a pilot&#39;s harness. The mechanism includes a housing with a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism employs two rotatable locking pins with associated cams and openings. An opening is formed within the housing for receiving a yoke. A striker plate with opposing lugs is formed at one end of the yoke. The lugs cooperate with the locking pins to either retain or reject the striker plate within the housing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a buckle, more particularly, the present invention relates to a buckle release mechanism that permits the buckle to be released while under a load.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Buckles and buckle release systems are frequently used to secure harnesses, safety restraints, and parachutes. Parachute harnesses, for example, include a buckle having a buckle release system for releasing the harness from the canopy of the parachute. Several different buckle release systems are known in the art.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,234 to Frost et al. discloses a releasable fastener for securing together two straps. A link is included for attachment to one of the straps. The link takes the form of a plate-like strike with a pair of spaced-apart locking lugs that define locking notches. The lugs cooperate with a pair of spaced-apart locking pins. Bifurcated levers secured to the upper ends of the locking pins serve to rotate the locking-pins in response to the movement of a slide. A pivotal latch is also included. The latch must be pivoted prior to moving the slide.

The buckle of Frost may suffer from the drawback that a large amount of force is needed in order to move the slide and release the parachute riser straps. The force required to move the slide dramatically increases to the extent that one or more of the straps is under tension, as may be the case when a parachute is deployed. The level of force required to move the slide may preclude a user from releasing the mechanism or may preclude the user from releasing the mechanism with one hand.

A further buckle release design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,247 to Warrick et al. Warrick discloses a buckle release system for the manual or automatic release of a crewmember harness. This buckle has a frame that receives a cooperating tang that is secured to a portion of the harness. A tang assembly secures the buckling member in the frame. A latch that pivots between a closed position and an open position holds the tang assembly. The latch is intended to prevent the inadvertent release of the buckling member from the frame. A lever that includes a cavity holds a free end of the latch. During operation, the lever is moved to an open position in order to release the latch.

However, like other buckles, the buckle disclosed in Warrick may not open and release the harness under some difficult or extreme conditions. Failure of the buckle to open and release can be hazardous to the wearer of the harness. For example, a parachute canopy may exert a substantial force on the harness when the conditions are windy and/or when the canopy is being dragged through water. If the buckle fails to release when needed, or if the wearer is otherwise unable to activate the release, the aircraft personnel could be dragged along the ground or through water due to the force of the wind on the canopy. This could place the wearer in great danger of receiving significant bodily injury.

An additional buckle release system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,557 to Clark et al., the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. Clark discloses a buckle release system for releasing a parachute canopy from a harness. The buckle includes both a lock lever, a manual release lever, a spring biased catch and a latch positioned in a frame. A slide member is provided that operates to hold the latch in a locked position and prevents a buckling member from being released when the buckle is in a locked position. The lock lever is provided to prevent the unintended release of the manual release lever and thus a premature release of the parachute canopy from a harness.

However, the lock lever of Clark often encounters significant aerodynamic and inertial forces both before and after parachute deployment. On some occasions, these forces may cause the premature release of the lock lever. Although such an event would not, in and of itself, cause the premature release of the parachute canopy, it does reduce the available safety factor. Namely, if both the lock lever and the release lever were prematurely opened, the result could be a premature release of the canopy.

Accordingly, a need exists for a buckle with a buckle release system that can withstand and operate under difficult operating environments. There also exists a need for a buckle release system that is not prone to premature or accidental release and that can be released while under load.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An advantage of the present disclosure is realized by providing a buckle retaining mechanism that keeps an associated tang securely locked in difficult operating environments.

A further advantage of the present disclosure is achieved by providing a retaining mechanism that prevents the accidental or unintended release of the buckle.

Another possible advantage is attained by including a failsafe mechanism within the buckle release.

Still yet another possible advantage is achieved by reducing the force needed to release the disclosed buckle.

A further advantage is realized by providing a buckle release mechanism that can be released by the user while the release is under a load.

Various embodiments of the invention may have none, some, or all of these advantages. Other technical advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of the buckle release mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a perspective bottom view of the buckle release mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the buckle release of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a top plan sectional view of the buckle release in the locked orientation.

FIG. 4B is a top plan sectional view of the buckle release in the unlocked orientation.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the buckle release mechanism.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the locking mechanism in the locked orientation.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the locking mechanism in the unlocked orientation.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the locking mechanism.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Parts List 10 Buckle Release Mechanism 20 Forward End of Mechanism 22 Rearward End of Mechanism 24 Yoke 26 Housing 28 Striker Plate 32 Opposing Lugs 34 Aperture in Front of Housing 36 Locking Mechanism 38 Slide 40 Spring on Slide Post 42 Latch 44 Central Slide Post 46 Locking Levers 48 Forked End of Locking Levers 52 Recesses within Locking Levers 54 Pivot Point for Locking Levers 56 Locking Pins 58 Internal Openings within Locking Pins 62 Cam on Locking Pins 64 Wings on Locking Pins

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a buckle and a buckle release mechanism. The buckle includes a housing with a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism employs two rotatable locking pins with associated cams and openings. An opening is formed within the housing for receiving a yoke. A striker plate with opposing lugs is formed at one end of the yoke. The lugs cooperate with the locking pins to either retain or reject the striker plate within the housing.

The buckle 10 includes opposing forward and rearward ends (20 and 22) for coupling various types of straps, webbing or belts. In one particular embodiment, buckle 10 forms part of a parachute canopy for a pilot's harness. To achieve this, each end of the buckle (20 and 22) is adapted to receive a roller between opposing apertures. Each length of webbing has an end that is secured about one of these rollers. The forward roller extends between two ends of a removable yoke 24. The rearward roller extends between two sides of a housing 26. Each roller can be secured to the end of a length of a webbing. A striker plate 28 with opposing lugs 32 is formed at the opposite end of yoke 24 (FIG. 5). Striker plate 28 and lugs 32 are adapted to be inserted into an aperture 34 at forward end 20 of housing 26.

Striker plate 28 is retained in (or rejected from) housing 26 by way of a locking mechanism 36. Locking mechanism 36 is described next in conjunction with FIGS. 4 and 5. Locking mechanism 36 can be operated by the user via a slide 38 and latch 42. Slide 38 includes downwardly extending sides that are mounted over the sides of housing 26. This interconnects slide 38 to housing 26 and it also allows slide 38 to be slid between the forward and rearward ends (20 and 22, respectively) of housing 26.

Latch 42 is pivotally coupled to housing 26 via pins and has opened and closed positions. Latch 42 must be pivoted upwardly to the opened position to permit slide 38 to be moved forwardly to the front 20 of housing. Latch 42 is normally biased to the closed position (note FIG. 7) via a spring, thereby preventing the forward movement of slide 38. Latch 42 can be pivoted to an opened position by overcoming the spring bias. This two part actuation (i.e., pivoting latch 42 upwardly and moving slide 38 forwardly) avoids inadvertent release of the mechanism.

Locking mechanism 36 includes a central slide post 44 that extends through housing 26 and is coupled to slide 38. Slide post 44 also interconnects a pair of locking levers 46. Each of the locking levers 46 includes an inner end 48 that is forked. The forked extent 48 of each locking lever 46 is positioned about slide post 44. The outer extent of each locking lever 46 includes a recess 52. Movement of slide 38 with respect to housing 26 causes a corresponding movement of slide post 44 with respect to housing 26. Movement of slide post 44, in turn, causes each of the locking levers 46 to pivot about a pivot point 54. Springs can be secured about the pivot points to bias levers 46 (note FIG. 4A). Likewise, spring 40 can be positioned about slide post 44 to urge it into a locked position (note FIG. 4A). When slide post 44 is positioned as noted in FIG. 4A, locking levers 46 are in alignment with one another. This corresponds to the locked orientation. When slide post 44 is positioned as noted in FIG. 4B, locking levers 46 are angled with respect to one another. This corresponds to the unlocked orientation.

Locking mechanism 36 further includes a pair of cylindrical locking pins 56. Each of the locking pins 56 extends between an upper and lower surface of housing 26. Each pin 56 further includes an internal opening 58 (note FIG. 5). A cam 62 is positioned adjacent each opening 58 and extends from the cylindrical surface of each pin 56. A wing 64 is integrally formed at the upper end of each locking pin 56. Each of these wings 64 is adapted to be selectively retained within one of the locking lever recesses 52. When the locking levers 46 are in alignment with respect to one another, wings 64 are retained within recesses 52. This orientation is depicted in FIGS. 4A and 6A. However, when locking levers 46 are angled with respect to one another, recesses 52 rotate wings 64 outwardly. This orientation is depicted in FIGS. 4B and 6B. This, in turn, causes the inward rotation of the internal openings 58 and cams 62. As described in more detail hereinafter, this unlocks and rejects striker plate 28 from housing 26.

In use, with latch 42 pivoted upwardly, slide 38 can be moved toward the forward end 20 of housing 26. This rotates pins 56 such that openings 58 are oriented towards forward opening 34 of housing 26. Striker plate 28 can then be inserted into opening 34 of housing 26. During insertion, lugs 32 are received within the openings 58. Lugs 32 then contact cams 62 to rotate pins 56. When slide 38 is retracted, wings 64 are lockingly received within recesses 52 of levers 46. Striker plate 28 is now lockingly received within buckle 10. In this orientation, locking levers 46 are in alignment with one another. This is the locked orientation illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 6A.

Thereafter, if a user wishes to unlock the buckle mechanism 10, they must again pivot latch 42 upwardly against the bias of the spring. With latch 42 in the pivoted position, slide 38 and be moved toward the forward end 20 of housing 26. This movement of slide 38 causes a corresponding movement of slide post 44. Slide post 44, in turn, pivots each of the locking levers 46 about the corresponding pivot points 54. As the locking levers 46 rotate, locking arm recesses 52 operate to rotate each of the wings 64 outwardly (with respect to the centerline of the buckle assembly). Because wings 64 are integrally connected to locking pins 56, this rotation causes a similar rotation of the two cams 62. The outward rotation of wings 64 causes the internal openings 58 to rotate inwardly. This inward rotation of the internal openings 58 permits lugs 32 of striker plate 28 to exit the locking mechanism 36. The ejection of striker plate 28 is facilitated by cams 62. Namely, the rotation of locking pins 56 causes cams 62 to contact the outer face of striker plate 28 and urge it to exit aperture 34 in housing 26 (note FIG. 6B). Ultimately, this permits yoke 24 and its associated webbing to be separated from housing 26 even when a load is on yoke 24

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A buckle mechanism for selectively securing a restraint, the buckle mechanism comprising: a housing with forward and rearward ends, an opening formed within the front end of the housing; a slide secured over top of the housing and adapted for linear movement between locked and unlocked positions, a latch pivotally secured to the housing and having opened and closed positions, wherein the latch must be opened in order for the slide to be moved to the unlocked position, a slide post secured to the slide and adapted for movement with the slide between locked and unlocked positions; a pair of locking levers positioned within the housing, each locking lever having a first forked end, a second recessed end, and a pivot point therebetween, each of the forked ends being positioned about the slide post, whereby movement of the cover and slide post to the unlocked position causes each of the locking levers to pivot about its respective pivot point; a pair of cylindrical pins rotatably positioned within the housing, each of the pins including an internal opening, a cam adjacent the internal opening, and a wing, the pins having locked and unlocked orientations corresponding to the locked and unlocked positions of the slide post, the wings being positioned within the recessed ends of the locking levers with the pins in the locked position, the wings being ejected from the recessed ends of the locking levers with the pins in the unlocked position; a yoke having a striker plate with opposing lugs, the yoke being interconnected to the restraint, the lugs being retained within the internal openings of the cylindrical pins with the cover and slide post in the locked position, and wherein by moving the cover and slide post into the unlocked position, the pins rotate such that the lugs are freed and ejected from the housing by way of the cams.
 2. A buckle mechanism comprising: a housing with forward and rearward ends, an opening formed within the front end of the housing; a slide secured over top of the housing and adapted for linear movement between locked and unlocked positions, a slide post secured to the slide and adapted for movement with the slide between locked and unlocked positions; a pair of locking levers positioned within the housing, each locking lever having a first end, a second recessed end, and a pivot point therebetween, each of the first ends being interconnected to the slide post, whereby movement of the cover and slide post to the unlocked position causes each of the locking levers to pivot about its respective pivot point; a pair of cylindrical pins rotatably positioned within the housing, each of the pins including an internal opening, and a wing, the pins having locked and unlocked orientations corresponding to the locked and unlocked positions of the slide post, the wings being positioned within the recessed ends of the locking levers with the pins in the locked position, the wings being ejected from the recessed ends of the locking levers with the pins in the unlocked position; a striker plate with opposing lugs, the lugs being retained within the internal openings of the cylindrical pins with the cover and slide post in the locked position.
 3. The buckle mechanism as described in claim 2 further comprising a latch pivotally secured to the housing and having opened and closed positions, wherein the latch must be opened in order for the slide to be moved to the unlocked position,
 4. The buckle mechanism as described in claim 2 wherein the first end of each locking lever is forked and wherein the adjacent forks are positioned about the slide post.
 5. The buckle mechanism as described in claim 2 further comprising a cam adjacent the internal opening of each pin, wherein by moving the cover and slide post into the unlocked position, the pins rotate such that the lugs are freed and ejected from the housing by way of the cams.
 6. The buckle mechanism as described in claim 2 wherein the striker plate includes a yoke that is interconnected to the restraint.
 7. A buckle mechanism comprising: a housing with forward and rearward ends, an opening formed within the front end of the housing; a slide secured over the housing and adapted for movement between locked and unlocked positions; a pair of cylindrical pins rotatably positioned within the housing, each of the pins including an internal opening and locked and unlocked orientations, with the forward movement of the slide brining the pins into the unlocked orientation and the rearward movement of the slide brining the pins into the locked orientation; a striker plate with opposing lugs, the lugs being received within or ejected from the internal openings of the pins when the pins are in the unlocked orientation and with the lugs being lockingly received within the openings with the pins in the locked orientation.
 8. The buckle mechanism as described in claim 7 further comprising cams that are positioned adjacent each of the internal openings of the pins and wherein the cams are used in ejecting the lugs from the internal openings when the pins are in the unlocked orientation. 